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Illinois

Law

An elementary or secondary school student may not be penalized or discriminated against in any way for refusing to perform, participate in, or observe dissection. “Dissection” includes cutting, killing, preserving or mounting living or dead animals or animal parts for scientific study; but does not include the cutting, preserving or mounting of animal products that have been processed for use as food or in the preparation of food. A school may allow an alternative project that should be non-punitive and provide knowledge similar to that gained by dissection. 105 ILCS 112/Dissection Alternatives Act; P.A. 91-771 (2000).